Booth’s Finest Dry Gin (1980s)

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Booth’s Finest Dry Gin is no longer produced today, but bottles of it come up rather frequently on vintage spirits markets such as Master of Malt or The Whisky Exchange.

Part of the reasons for it being among the most common vintage spirits is that it was once simply everywhere. Like that common sparrow, or more appropriately the Passenger Pigeon, Booth’s was once a name with an esteemed history. Closer to Gordon’s then even 19th century old-timers like Tanqueray, Booth’s Gin has ties back to the 1740′, and the Booth family had ties in wine going back two centuries prior.

But now it’s gone, and to try, you must either meet or be a collector yourself to try some.

Booth’s Finest Dry Gin was Booth’s flagship dry gin, and was distilled entirely from grain; bottled at 40% ABV and rested briefly in wood. The spirit has a faint, but discernible golden hue to it. Very subtle, reminiscent of Seagram’s, particularly when it was barrel rested as well.

Tasting Notes

The nose is very mild, but predominantly juniper forward. Quiet and rather straightforward overall.

The palate is again, rather subtle especially compared to some of the bold botanical forward palates of many gins. It’s noticeably milder than Gordon’s, Tanqueray or even Beefeater.

The mouthfeel is rather thin. Juniper up front and mid-palate, primarily, while the finish is quietly earthy with a gentle oak roundness. I get a slight hint of tannic oak in the finish that I didn’t expect owing to its slight color.

Overall

Booth’s Finest Dry Gin is an interesting curiosity for collectors and even today in vintage status, it’s clear that Booth’s Distillery did a good job of producing a gin suitable for everyman at a reasonable price, it doesn’t do anything so exciting or unusual to command the exceptional collectors’ prices (on taste alone).

If you’re seriously considering a purchase for Booth’s Finest Dry Gin, there’s little that I can say here that should deter you from owning a piece of gin history. But for everyone else who’s living vicariously through tasting notes, you’re missing a perfectly acceptable gin, and nothing more.

Thanks To…

Special thanks to David T. Smith, creator of Summer Fruit Cup and author of Forgotten Spirits & Long Lost Liqueurs has been a friend of The Gin Is In for nearly as long as we’ve been around. David shares samples of curious and rare spirits from his travels that might be difficult to obtain stateside. Thanks to David for the sample.

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10 thoughts on “Booth’s Finest Dry Gin (1980s)”

Jon Betts said

This is still in production in the US and apparently still made to the same recipe. The company that took over Booth’s also owns Gordons Gin and they decided to only keep one based in the UK. So if you are in the US ,,, try it. And if you are feeling kind … bring me back a bottle and I pay whatever it costs!!

jeffJones said

At last I have managed to fnd some history of Booths gin.When I was at sea some 60 odd years ago on prettywell every ship I sailed on there would be a supply of the necta in the suposed
wardrobe,? When I came ashore to work the mere word,,Booths seemed to identity me as a space traveller..Until now when what happened was clear.Even now bar men and hoteliers look at me as if really am fom space! I am now 9o years old and
much sea and Booths have passed since 1st.voyage.It would be very nice to see the name
behind the bar of British pubs agaqin !!!!!

dandy said

I have an unopened bottle of Booths finest dry gin – must be 30 years old – does it have a value or is it too old to be consumed?

Mark said

Dandy are you in the UK? if so I would be interest in buying it from you.

Christine said

We have an unopened bottle of Booth’s Gin – pre metric not sure of age. (Doesn’t say dry on the label). Can it be consumed and does it have a value ?

Anonymous said

Mike said

Bev H said

I’ve got a 1957 bottle of Booth’s dry gin which is unopened and in excellent condition. Does it have any worth? It says 70% proof on the label and the bottle itself is embossed with ‘Booth’s Distillery London’

Jim said

Is the company related to relations of John Wilkes Booth, Assassin of Abraham Lincoln?

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